The owner of newly-promoted Stoke City has founded a developmental team here in the US in my town, Austin TX.

I have literally never heard of Stoke City, although I've now read that it comes from the home of Spode pottery, which my mother-in-law has bought us several pieces because she mistakenly thinks we give a shit about that sort of thing.

it's their first season in the Premiership next season
they wear a god awful red and white stripe kit, (yellow and Blue away kit) their nickname is 'The Potters' due to the pottery connection.

Founded in 1863 (second oldest club in football)
They finished second in the Championship last season behind the mighty West Brom.
Their manager is Tony Pulis(currently his second stint at the club 2002-05 previously)
They play their home games at the Britannia Stadium (28,383 capacity) not bad for a small team.

they have never won a title in the top division of England nor have they won the FA Cup, they won the League Cup in 1973.

Their biggest ever recorded attendance was 51,130 (when they played at Victoria Ground) against Arsenal (this was back when Stadium had terraces rather than seats.

Their best player is forward Ricardo Fuller, the team captain is Andy Griffin.

Former players include World Cup winners Sir Geoff Hurst and the teams most capped player is England's greatest ever goalkeeper Gordon Banks.

other notable players are Sir Stanley matthews, Frank Soo (first non white man to play for England) Peter Dobing and John Ritchie (leading club goalscorer with 171)

In January 2008 the Austin Aztex, who will be joining the United Soccer Leagues in 2009, and Stoke City FC announced a team partnership and will share training information and players, with Austin acting as a potential player resource for Stoke. The Potters hope the relationship will unearth untapped American talents as Texas is considered to be one of the hotbeds for American football talent. Stoke City FC also looks to build an American fan base by sending young players to get playing time and selling Stoke City merchandise in Austin.

Stoke have 2 club mascots called Pottermus, and Pottermiss (a female version of Pottermus) Pottermus, also known as Hippo rides a motorcycle around the pitch in a leather jacket, he was the first club mascot to hold a motorcycle licence and has also won the mascots' grand national on two occasions(a race where all english footbal teams mascots compete). He famously removed the head of Nuneaton Borough's mascot, a bear, at one match and also likes to use his wrestling skills on any visiting mascots.

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"